Includes Long-Lost Ferrari California Spyder

Likened by some to the famed “reserve collection” of the brothers Schlumpf, this barn-find hoard includes cars ranging from humble Amilcars, Citroëns and an Innocenti to grand routiers such as a Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux, a number of Delahaye 135s, a Talbot Lago T26 Saoutchik cabriolet delivered to King Farouk of Egypt and most remarkably, an ultra- rare Maserati A6G 2000 Frua berlinetta and a Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spyder originally owned by film director Alain Delon.

Sixty of the cars unearthed will be offered at the Artcurial auction in the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center, and they will be on display from the show’s opening on Wednesday, February 4 until the sale the following Saturday.

In a phone chat, Artcurial Managing Director of Motorcars Matthieu Lamoure said the discovery of the collection in the west of France is “One of the most exciting things I have ever been a part of in this business.”

“It is an unbelievable opportunity for true collectors to find untouched cars of the highest quality and interest,” Matthieu said.

Photos of the cars as found show that many were stored in open sheds, so they are in true barn find condition. They are untouched and original, but many are severely weathered and are great candidates for a correct restoration.

Others, such as the Ex-Delon Ferrari California Spyder and the Maserati A6G 2000, were stored in garages and may offer preservation opportunities.

In any event, many of these are examples of cars which rarely come to market in any condition and the interest in Paris should be quite keen. We’ll keep you posted on any more developments.